Mercedes-Benz working on new sub-brand for electric cars

Mercedes Benz is reportedly working on a new sub-brand for electric vehicles, which will supposedly include 2 new fully electric SUV and 2 new all-electric sedan models.

The German luxury carmaker plans to roll out the new vehicles before 2020, with the first prototype being introduced in September at the Paris Auto Show. It’s expected that the vehicle will be an SUV, with a driving range of roughly 310 miles (500 km).

In addition to the electric cars, Mercedes is planning its first all-electric heavy-duty delivery truck by the start of the next decade. The company recently unveiled their new concept truck, the Urban eTruck. It is a vehicle made for intra-city shipments. Specifically designed for short-runs, and heavy construction, the truck will be a sign of moving into a new market. In addition to that one though, there also will be an electric variation stemming from the company’s smart-brand of vehicles.

The company has also promised electric versions of each of the vehicles in the Smart city-car brand.

Earlier this year, Mercedes said that the manufacturing of the new electric vehicles will take place at the facility in Bremen, Germany.

Starting in 2017, a fuel-cell electric GLC SUV should be in manufacturing stage, and the car is expected to be able to tap both hydrogen and wall sockets for recharging. The Mercedes-Benz GLC F-CELL will be the first production fuel-cell vehicle to get a usable all-electric range, capable of delivering a 50km (31-mile) range. Together the battery and the fuel-cell offer a zero-emission range of 500km (310 miles). Mercedes previously offered a fuel-cell variant of its B-Class.

Mercedes might feel optimistic about the future of EV sales, at least by looking at how rival BMW is faring. According to BMW, its i3 model pushed its number of plug-in sales up by 87 percent in the first half of 2016.

BMW and Mercedes aren’t the only German automakers working on increasing its electric car lineup. Volkswagen has plans to offer as many as 20 electric cars and plug-in hybrids on sale by 2020.